The new contract also lengthens the workday for elementary school teachers by another 30 minutes, to 7 ½ hours.

“I am an elementary school teacher. We work the extra hours anyway, so we are really not going to see it,” said Hill.

Even after hours of debate, many teachers called it a close vote, estimating that only 60% of teachers seemed to be in favor of the new contract. About 1,500 teachers out of the 3,000 in the district attended the meeting at Benaroya Hall on Tuesday. The vote was taken by a show of hands.

“You are characterizing it as close. I think it was clear, it was very clear, different perspectives all around. It was robustly debated, all the issues were put on the table,” said Seattle Education Association President Jonathan Knapp.